Canada’s Gord Perrin stars in pro team’s Champions League loss

KEDZIERZYN – KOZLE, Poland – Gord Perrin of Creston, B.C., was named the match’s top player but it wasn’t enough to lead his Izmir, Turkey team to victory in a tight men’s volleyball Champions League semifinal loss to Kedzierzyn-Kozle, Poland on Tuesday.

The Poles took the two-hour encounter 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 22-25, 15-9 to grab the lead in the two match series. The second match is next week in Izmir.

Perrin, Canada’s big revelation in World League play last year, led all scorers with 23 points including five on blocks – also a match high, and 18 on kills. “Tough loss on the road,” Perrin tweeted after the match. Izmir, coached by Canada’s national team men’s coach Glenn Hoag of Gatineau, Que., also has two other Canadians on the floor.

Adam Simac of Ottawa added six points including four off the block and Justin Duff of Winnipeg played in all five sets and collected three points.

“We were not good enough in some small elements and this caused our defeat,” said Hoag. “However, I still think that both teams have equal chances to advance to the final.”

There are six clubs in the Champions League semifinal. The three winners advance to the Final Four tournament against Omsk, Russia which is hosting the final.